Letter: 'Fake farmers' bill helps all of us

Because of an outdated law and lack of control by administrations, too many wealthy residents of New Jersey have managed to avoid paying their fair share of taxes for a long time by taking advantage of farmland tax breaks.

Thankfully, there is a recent bipartisan law sponsored by state Senators Steve Sweeney and Jennifer Beck, making the conditions for declaring property as farmland tougher and the penalties for cheating the system stiffer.

The “fake farmer’s” law will require those claiming a farmland assessment tax break to make at least $1,000 annually from selling their land products.

The original amount had not been changed since 1964 — and was a long overdue re-evaluation. Additionally, this law will require those who continue to try and cheat to pay a $5,000 fine.

For those New Jersey towns that lose around $80 million per year because of “fake farmers,” this will bring some much-needed revenue.

Cheating on your taxes is not a victimless crime. When one member of the community refuses to pay his or her fair share, it increases the tax burden on their neighbors.We all become victims.

That is why I hope the administration will act swiftly to implement this reform and bring more financial accountability and fairness to the state.